Combination phonograph recording and reproducing mechanism



Dec. 7, 1948. G. P. BRUBAKER COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH RECORDING AND REPRODUCI'NG MECHANISM Filed July 17, 1943 3 SheetsSheet 1 l N V E N TOR George P. 5/ baker BY ATTORNEY G. P. BRUBAKER Dec. 7, 1948.

COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 1'7, 1943 I N v E NTO R Gearye 1 rubaker ATTORNEV 1943- G. P. BRUBAKER 2,455,466

COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MECHANISM Filed July 17, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 III I!!! 11,! 11111111111111, I I 1 I I I I a I e 18 a 5 17 a i m a g i 8 \NVENTOR 620 6 f? 5r baker -BY 9 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 7, 1948 COMBINATION PHONOGRAPH RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MECHANISM George P. Bruhaker, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor,

s, to Dictaphone Corporaby mesne assignment tion, New York, N. York a corporation of New Application July 17, 1943, Serial No. 495,175

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a phonograph, and more particularly to a phonograph that uses a stylus for co-operation with a mechanical record groove.

It is common to use a stylus head that may be conditioned either for recording or for reproducing. For performing the recording function, the stylus is pressed against the moving record blank, and it is vibrated in accordance with the sound impulses to be recorded. At the same time, the head is moved in a direction transverse to the motion of the blank, to form a continuous record groove.

For performing the reproducing function, the stylus is pressed more lightly against the record carrying member, and the stylus is arranged to have lateral compliance with the record groove. In this way, excessive groove wear is obviated.

It is one of the objects of this invention to improve in general phonographs of this character.

It is another object of this invention to provide a simple mechanism by the aid of which the change of the stylus head from recording position to reproducing position, or Vice versa, can be effected.

In order to efiect these results, use is made of an adjustable structure that supports the stylus head. The structure can be caused to assume any one of three positions, corresponding to recording position, reproducing position, and neutral or inactive position. It is another object of this invention to provide such a support and its controlling elements, that form a simple and efiective mechanism.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specificatlon. The form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of a mechanism incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, a part of the structure loeing broken away;

Fig. 3 is a side view taken along Fig.

plane 3-3 of Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along plane 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along plane 5-5 of Fi 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along plane li6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating another position of the stylus head;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along plane 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig. 4, illustrating still another position of the stylus head; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along plane Ill-40 of Fig. 9.

In the present instance the stylus head I is shown as embodied in a phonograph structure similar to that disclosed in a prior application filed in the name of George P. Brubaker on June 28, 1943, Serial No. 492,538, and entitled sound recorder. Thus, there is shown a record memher 2 adapted to be mounted upon a rotary table 3 in any desired manner. Co-operating with the record member 2 there is shown a stylus 4 carried adjacent the front portion of the head i. The stylus A is adapted to be used both for recording and for play-back operation.

The stylus l, co-operating with the record member 2, can be vibrated, as is well understood, by the aid of electrical current impulses, for performing the recording operation. On the other hand, by appropriate adjustment, the stylus 4 can be vibrated by a record previously made on the record member 2; and the vibration of the stylus sets up electrical impulses that may be amplified and caused to operate a sound reproducer or loud speaker. As is usual, while the turntable 3 is in motion, a lead screw shaft 5 is also rotated to operate a lead screw 6 to trace a spiral pattern with respect to record member 2. Lead screw 6 is operated in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The mounting of the stylus head I may best be explained by the aid of Figs. 4, 5, and 6. The support for the head is a spring arm 1. This spring arm l is so mounted that it urges the stylus head i downwardly toward the record member 2 with a relatively light pressure. For this purpose. the right hand end of the spring arm 1 is shown as supported on a post 8 (Figs. 4, 5, '7, and 9). This post 8 is in the form of a screw or bolt. It is supported on the top wall of a supporting structure 90f shell-like configuration open at the bottom. The head I, in any of the three positions, as illustrated in Figs. 4, 7, and 9, projects below the open bottom of the structure 9.

The screw 8 passes through an appropriate aperture in the top wall of structure 9 and is fastenedthereto, as by the aid of the nut Ill. The spring arm 7 has an aperture through which the post 8 passes. On either side of,the spring arm 1 Tai -e1 provided" the felt Washers 151, These washers areprvente'd from separating movement by the aid of the metal Washers l2 and the nuts I3. The felt washers l l are so arranged that they offer no material resistancefagainstfa lgular movement of the arm 1 about 'th'e airisbf post 8.

Thus, for playback or reproducing operation, the spring arm 1 permits liateral cgipnasgeyby freedom of angular movement about the axis of post 8.

The supporting structure, is .a djustably mounted on a, frame l4. As will bede'scribed'here inafter, this frame I4 is moved by the lead screw 6 in a direction toward the axis of turntable 3.

The a ustment pis n turefi. s er e by J the aid of pivot screws l5 s hqwnuto blestadvanta e B as. 5. nd h e. r vet screws have tapered ends received in correspondingly -..ta ed... ess s in, t side v of he u p These screws may be upportedin the sides of frame l4 and held in adjusted position by lock nuts W iiu tn e t .o the s ructu 9 ov y one of three optional positions is providedtq adjust the mechanisrn for playback operation, for recording operation, or, for rendering' the head, l neutral. Thus, for the playback position illustrated in Fig. 4, the adjustable structure 9 is maintained in 1 suchposition. that it, permits head Lto follow .the y'agariesof the record groove, the spring arm jlhe'ing, in this position, freely movable angularly about the post 8.. H If itis'desired to 'lift'the stylus out of comperative relation with therecordmember 2,.the, structure 9 is moved in a clockwise direction about the 5" pivot screws l5 to'iattain the position illustrated 'iniFi gs. 'Zand. 8. In order that thisadjusted i position' of the structure 9 be effective to lift the 3: head l,'thehead lis provided with a lifting arm 51. This arm has' a'forwardly projecting portion "i'rt'eridinginto alifting'yoke l8 depending below "th'e'top' wall of "the structure 9.f ln'th'e reprodu'cing position of Figs. 4'jand 5, the arm l7 and "*yok'e' ['8 are out of 'cof-op'er'ative relationwitli each "other. "However, in the'neutral position of Figs. 'and 8, the yolge'l8 has lifted the arm IT and thereby the head I.

To attain there'cording position illustrated in 'QFigs Q and i0,:th'supp orting structure 5 rotate'd in a 'counte'rclockwise direction from'fthe playback position illustrated in Fig.4, In this 1 "position thereare inte -engaging co operating j fele'ments carried by the structure Q andhead l that restrain the head I 'against lat'eral compliance. 7 These elements are shown to best advanfi hfie a d 0-., Thus, theheadl carriesa member l9provided ifl with a tapered slot 2 ll. The bottom of theslpt, as shown most clearly in Figs. 8 and 9, has astraight fportion 2|. The adjustable structure 9, has a co-operating element22 providedjwith 52; down- "w a'rdly' extending arrfi23. Thisdow'riwardlyf ex- .tendingarm 23 enters into the 'tape1;edsldt 2o funtil its lower endcontacts"thefflatfportion 2|. This position is illustrated i'n'Fig. 10. The width of the flatportion 2 is" thesame asth'e width of arm 23." Thus, a snugfit between'th'ese elements isassure'd on'jfulllengageinent. "The obi-operating members in the position of Fig; 1'0 p're'vent lateral movement of the stylus head I with respect to the supporting structure 9.

The tapered slot 20 serves as a guide for the arm 23, ensuring that the full engagement illus- 5. trated in Big. 10 canbeobtained even when the "ead unseen; to b'ef slig'jhtlydis'placed laterally fromtha't required for'th'e fully" engaged position, resulting in a misalinement between slot and arm 23. 10 The'elem'ent22 may be provided with another arnT24'of the same length as arm 23 and adapted to engage the top,surface of member [9 when ;,;'the'1 iernentsare in the co-operative position of jFigf'lO. 'I'his serves to balance the pressure ex- 15 erted upon "the head I by the supporting s ru ture Not'only is the head I restrained in this position against lateral compliance, but the pressure exerted upon the stylus 4 is also increased. This pressure is obtained bythe aid of the ii flzslgmgs'gs, 5, 7; a d s The V jof the" spring "25 isifast'ened to an anchor26. This anchor is mountedonthe top of the adjustable structure, as by the aid of the tews.

J l'jlie'u'pper end of the spring 25 passes through I nephew the a er Wall of t f am lt opasses through an aperturein a thin plate Z'llnountdphthe frame l4 (Figs. 1 and 4). This was .21 s. io i ed w a k yh l slot .Q larger portion 29 of the keyhol e slot is large enough to pass this spring 25. Accordingly, the aripeiii avb an he in la 2 Pa M li s rin Z'it mue h la gero 9 and 3;} then moving thespring 25 laterally toward the le t, a .iewed; n, LF e l in o t ne we p t ri of thelceyhole slot. This manner of anchoringthe upper end of the spring 25 also provides means foradjustingsits tension. 4 In the foregoing playback position of Fig. 4, the spring 251s ineffective to impose a pressure LUPQILthe head ,I. The pressure in this playback V positign pro vid ed by the resilience of spring land the weightof the head I. 4 However, when the recording position of Figs. gene in isattaincd, the, spring 25 isactive on the ie ih ntlsi leof the vot rews I5 to impo A; pressure up n thehead I through the structure 9. andthe cqoperatingelements l9 and 22.,

The adjustmentof the structure 9 and the ma tenanqe of thatadiustment in any one of the. three. pe itiensfil st ci in i 4, .7 an are accomplished by theaid of mechanism shown most clearly in Fig s 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 The suppgrt e carries. arm thatprojects ei fe ly qttlze im qrt r is engaged sl w.ti' eetgper e ieyc s e r 31 is T e tre ..PlYQ n th sid ft a 215 JPY t eei a i 1 .3 T I Piv t i ?ipes sthre ahub meci itaeibes eth s desi er i ed in a i .1e ri i'ain the ir melfl- Th the xang ular po sition pf thelever 3| determines the angularjposi tionof thesupporting structure 9.

The lever 31 heldin any one of its three adjusted'p sitigns by thei'aid of an'axially movable lockinfr'ii n '34, shown most clearly in Fig'slj5 and 6.' This lop'lilili'g pin 34 is guided in an 79 aperture in the side offframe J4. Iti's urged out- "w en qfthelfram e by leaf spring 35 attached to th'e"inner"en d' of the pin 34." 'Th'e'right'hand end of spring 35 is fastened, as by a bolt/'36, to the'fr'a'me l4. The rounded end of the locking pin"34 is adapted to be accommodated in any one of the co-operating recesses 31, 38, and 39 formed on the inner side of the lever 3|. The pressure provided by the spring 35 is sufficient to maintain the lever 3| in any one of the three positions indicated in Fig. 3. However, by the aid of sufficient manual force applied to the grip 32, the pin 34 can be urged by the co-operating recess 31, 38, and 39, to be retracted as the lever 3| is angularly adjusted.

To form an adequate guide for the angular movement of the lever 3|, the lever 3| may cooperate with a downwardly extending guide member 40, secured to frame l4 as by a screw 46-a passing through the upper end of member 46 and threadedly engaging frame |4 (Figs. 1, 3, and 5).

Motion of the frame 9 to carry the head I along the record member 2, as the table 3 is rotated, is secured, as heretofore stated, by the aid of the lead screw 6. This lead screw 6 is adapted to be contacted by a mutilated nut 4| (Figs. 2, 4, 7, and 9). This mutilated nut is fastened as by screws 42 to a supporting frame 43 carried by the frame M. The supporting frame is angularly adjustable about the axis of pivot screws 44 (Fig. 5) that are supported by the side walls of frame i9. For this purpose the supporting frame 43 is mounted upon the pivot shaft 45.

The mutilated nut 4| is urged toward engaging position with respect to the lead screw 6 by the aid of a leaf spring structure. This leaf spring structure, as shown most clearly in Figs, 4 and 5, includes a pair of flat springs 46 and 41. The right hand ends of these leaf springs 46 and 41 are fastened securely underneath the top wall of the frame l4, as by the aid of the bolt 48. The frame I4 is cut away, as indicated at 49, to permit the mutilated nut 4| and its co-operating elements to move upwardly out of engagement with the lead screw 6.

The adjustment of the support 9 to the neutral or lifted position of the stylus, as illustrated in Fig. 7, also results in a lifting of the nut 4| from the lead screw 6. For this purpose, the support 9 is provided with the arm 58 that engages underneath the lower edge of the nut 4| and lifts it against the pressure of the springs 46 and 41. However, when the support 9 returns to the playback position of Fig. 4, or the recording position of Fig. 9, the arm 56 moves away from the mutilated nut 4|. The nut then re-engages the lead screw 6.

The frame I4 is guided for lateral movement above the turntable 3 by the aid of a guide rod 5| (Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive). This guide rod passes through an appropriate guiding boss 52 formed on the right hand side of the frame 14, as viewed in Fig. 1. It is also guided by the aid of the boss 53 (Figs. 1 and 2) carried on a bracket 54 formed integrally with the frame l4.

In order to restrain angular movement of the frame |4 about the rod 5|, the lead screw 6 is utilized at a further guide for the frame M. For this purpose, the lead screw 6 is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 as being guided'in collars 5'5 and 56. These collars have internal cylindrical surfaces having a sliding fit with the external diameters of the threads on the lead screw 6.

These collars 55and 56 are supported on frame |4 between arms 51 and 58 projecting from the front of the frame M (Fig. 3). Screws 59, passing through the upper arm 51, engage within the annular slots 60 formed externally on the collars 5'5 and 56. In this way movement of the collars with respect to frame I4 is effectively prevented.

The adjustment of the apparatus to neutral, playback, or recording position involves adjustment of the lever 3| to any one of the three positions illustrated in Fig. 3. In the full line position the apparatus is in condition for reproducing, lateral compliance being then permitted, as explained in connection with Fig. 4. Movement of the finger grip 32 upwardly to the dot and dash position places the apparatus in the neutral position of Fig. 7. Movement of the grip 32 to the lower dot and dash position conditions the head I for recording, as shown in Fig. 9.

The inventor claims:

1. In combination, a stylus head, a resilient arm for supporting the head and urging the stylus toward a record member, an adjustable supporting structure, mounting means for the arm on said adjustable structure, said mounting means providing freedom of motion for the arm with respect to said structure in a direction transverse to the axis of the stylus for permitting lateral compliance of the head with the record member, means for adjusting said structure, and means including elements respectively carried by the head and by said structure, co-operating when the structure is in a definite adjusted position, for restraining said head against said freedom of motion.

2. In combination, a stylus head, a resilient arm for supporting the head and urging the stylus toward a record member, an adjustable supporting structure optionally adjustable to any one of a plurality of positions, mounting means for the arm on said adjustable structure, said mounting means providing freedom of motion for the arm with respect to said structure in a direction transverse to the axis of the stylus for permitting lateral compliance of the head with the record member, means for adjusting said structure, and means including elements respectively carried by the head and by said structure, cooperating when the structure is in one of its definite adjusted positions, for restraining said head against lateral compliance.

3. In combination, a stylus head, a spring arm for supporting the head, an adjustable supporting structure optionally adjustable to any one of a'plurality of positions, mounting means for the arm on said adjustable structure, said arm urging the stylus head toward a record member, said mounting means providing freedom of motion for the arm with respect to said structure in a direction transverse to the axis of the stylus for permitting lateral compliance of the head with respect to the record member, means for adjusting said structure, and means including elements re spectively carried by the head and by said structure, co-operating when the structure is in one of its definite adjusted positions, for restraining said head against lateral compliance, and means also including elements respectively carried by the head and by said structure co-operating when the structure is moved to another of its definite adjusted positions, to lift said head from the record member.

4. In combination, a stylus head, a spring arm for supporting the head, a supporting structure, means mounting the arm on said supporting structure, said arm urging the head toward a record member, said mounting means providing freedom of motion for the arm with respect to the structure in a direction transverse to the axis of the stylus for permitting lateral compliance of effective to move the frame.

gagement upon'adjustmen't definite position.

tne ne'ad with" therecord member; a frame, means adjustably fnoiinting said' supporting s'tru'c'ture ="-"on the-'"frame'; means 1 for movingthe frame in a -"-"di1"ecti'on to-maintain the stylus head} in-proper positin withrespect to the record-member; I'n'e'ans 'for' moving said supporting structure to --'any one of a number 'of optional adjusted posi- 7 tions with respect to the frame, means, including 7 elements-respectively carried by said head-and by I *said structure, co-operatingwhen the structure" is' in one of itsdefinite adjusted' positions,for res'training' said head-against lateral compliance, means also including elements respectively carried by the head and by said structure-comparating when the structure is moved to another of its definite adjusted positions,-to lift said'head i from the "record'member, and means effective upon movement of said structure to said other *-position to render said frame movin'g' means in- 5. In combination, a s'tylushead, a spring arm forsupporting the head, a supporting structure, means mounting the arm onsaid supporting "structure, said armurging the head toward a "record" member, said mounting means providing freedom of motion for the arm'with respect to the'structure ina direction transverse to the-axis "of 'thestylus for permitting lateral compliance of the" head with the record member; aframe, means adjustably mounting "said' supporting structure on the frame, means for'inoving the frame in a direction tomaintain the stylus head in proper position with respect to 'the""record member, means'for moving said supporti'ng'st'ruc: ture to anyone of a number of optional adjusted -positions with respect to "eluding elements respectively" carried by-said head "and by said structure co-operating when the'structure is in one the frame, me'ansy-inof its definite adjusted positions, for" restraining said head"*against lateral compliance, m'eans' also" including' elements respectively'carried by the headand by said'str'uctur'e co-operating whenthe structure is moved to another of 'its'clefinite adjusted'positions, to'lift said head from the record member;

and means efiective upon movement of "said structure to said other position to'ren'der said frame moving means" ineffective to movethe frame, said supporting structure havinga'n inter- 'mediate adjusted'position in which the means for restraining the headand the means for liftingthe head are ineifectivetorestrain ortolift the'head.

6.'In combination, a stylus head, a resilient arm for supporting the head and--urgi ng"the 1 stylus toward a record member, a supporting structure, a post carried by the structure whereby the resilient arm is mounted on said structure, said arm having freedom of motion about the 'post for permitting lateral compliance o'f the head with a record member, a frame, means pivotally mounting said supporting structure on the frame, means for adjusting said structure about its pivot with respect to the -frame,-means for moving the frame in a direction to maintain said head in proper position with respect to-the --record,- and means'having interengaging parts carried respectively by the head and by the structure for restraining said head against lateral compliance; said parts being capable of interenof said structure to a 7. In combination, a stylus head, a-spring arm #1 a postcarriedzby the" structure whereby the stylus hea'd is mounted on said structure; said arm havi-hg freedom of motion about the post'for permitting lateralcompliance' of the' head with a record-member; a ira'ma means pivotally mount- 'ing' saiw supporting"structure on the frame, '-mans f0r adju'sting 'said"structureabout its pivot I uiitlrresp'ect to th'e' fram-e';means for moving the fra'meiri a; direction to=maintain said head in 10 proper position with respect to the record, means liaii-ing i-nterengaging parts carried respectively -"by the he'ad 'and' by the structure for restraining fl aid li'ad -againstlateral compliance, said parts e'in'g capable of interenga'g'ement .upon adjustl-o "ent of said structure'-in-"one direction to a definite positiongandmeansalso having interengaging parts carried respectively by the head and 'by the'a-fs'tructure tidaptedto engage for lifting the head irom the record upon movement of said 26 struoture: the opposite direction.

-Win combination} a stylus-"head, a resilient -ar1r1 "for =supporting the head and urging the stylus-toward a record-"member, an adjustable supporting -str ucture;*mounting'means for the 2 rni bn saidad-justable structure, said mounting mean""providing freedom of motion fo'rthe arm iifitti' res'pect to*said StruCture in a direction i transverse tdthe axis' of the stylus forpermitting lateral compliance- 0f thehead with respect to 30' the record inmber; means; including elements respectively' carried by the' headand by said structure; oo-operating when 'the structure is in -a'-' defif1'it'e'- adjusted po's'itiom for restraining said *-h-ead against said freedom of motion, and means: supplementing: the force exerted .by said arm when sem -structureis in said definite position. QI In-"ecmbina'ti-om a-stylusmead, a sp'ring arm foi' suppoz ting the head, a' supporting structure, a post carried by the I structure whereby the stylu's' 'liead is mounted" on said structure, said arm having freedom of motion'about the post ffo'r permi'tting laterahcompliance of the head Wi-the i'ecordmember; a frame,"means pivotally mountmgsaid supporting structure onth e frame, m'ea 'for 'adjusting said structure about its pivot' with 'respect'to' the frame,'means for moving' th'e' frame ina dire'c'tion to maintain said 11 head in oper 'posit'ion'" with respect to the ddrdi nieans havin'g interengagin'g parts carried espectitel'y 'by the headand by the structure for restraining said 'he'adiagainst lateral compliatice', s' aid p'art's being capable of interengagement upon adjustment of said structure to a -g dennite positionyand a tension spring anchored b'etweerr the "frame" and saidstructure, and effec- 'tive ehly upon engagement of said parts to supfi plement the force exerted'by said arm.

. GEORGE P; BRUBAKER.

REFERENCES I CITED -The following references are of record in the 'file of 'thispatent:

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